Pottstown School Board votes to expel 3 students after BB gun assault

POTTSTOWN — The Pottstown School Board voted unanimously on Thursday to expel three high school students allegedly involved in a BB gun incident on school property.

District officials would not identify the three expelled students, but sources and previous published reports suggest they are the three football players accused of discharging a BB gun on school grounds on Oct. 24.

The accused students have been identified as Najee Johnson and Dayon Mohler, both 18, and Derrick Wilson, 17.

Advertisement

John Armato, the district’s director of community relations, said at the time the school board vote on expulsion would be the potential last step in the disciplinary process.

On Nov. 5, Armato said a 10-day suspension for the three students would be followed by a series of confidential meetings.

The last day of the suspension was Nov. 7.

The confidential meetings with district officials were used to determine what action the district would recommend to the board.

In conjunction with the disciplinary action taken by the school, criminal charges were also filed by the Pottstown Police Department against the three students.

The teens were charged with multiple counts of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor charges including simple assault, possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment.

According to police reports and victim testimony, the three teens allegedly targeted two fellow teammates before practice on Oct. 24.

Police said the trio was in Mohler’s car and allegedly fired BBs from at least three BB guns at the victims. One BB hit a victim in the head, and another victim was hit in the back.

The teens allegedly followed their teammates into the locker room of Pottstown High School, where more BBs were discharged.

Johnson’s case was moved to county court after all charges were waived in a district court preliminary hearing on Nov. 14.

Mohler will have his preliminary hearing in the courtroom of District Judge Edward C. Kropp Sr. on Dec. 2 at 8:30 a.m., according to court documents. Wilson’s case will be handled in juvenile court.

The expulsion vote Thursday was made without board comment.

About the Author

Caroline Sweeney formerly worked as the police reporter for the Pottstown Mercury. She is no longer on staff. If you wish to contact anyone at The Mercury about her stories, please call our main number at 610-323-3000 and ask for the editorial department. Reach the author at csweeney@pottsmerc.com
.